With Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder’s bill-topping efforts now done and dusted, all eyes in the heavyweight division turn to Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
The pair will fight to crown an undisputed champion on February 17, made possible by Usyk’s entrance into the division and snatching Joshua’s unified titles back in 2021.
Speaking at the post-fight press conference of the Day of Reckoning card, Joshua went further than just supporting his former opponent, he revealed he was backing him to win.
“I’ll try and be here. I tend not to go to many fights but Saudi’s putting on really good shows, that’s an iconic fight, so I’ll try and get out here with the team.
I think it’s gonna be a really, really good fight. I’m gonna be straight up, I’m leaning towards Usyk. But who knows? They’re both at the top of their game. I wish them well. I hope they have a great training camp.”
Then speaking to Boxing Social, ‘AJ’ had more praise for the Ukrainian following their 24 rounds together.
“I’ve fought Usyk, I think he’s a phenomenal fighter and he’s got a great team around him, and you’re only as good as your team. After being in the ring with him and studying him, still studying him now, I think he’s the one to edge it, probably because I’ve experienced his ring generalship and ring-craft on two occasions. I think he’s top tier.”
With a rematch clause in place for the four-belt fight, there’s a good chance Joshua – who dispatched of Otto Wallin inside five rounds this weekend – benefits from one of the titles becoming vacant after the initial fight.